Reflections at the Intersection of American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic Life

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Bad News for Academic Job Seekers in Religious Studies

According to this article and this study from the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion, tenure-track jobs in religious studies are slowly disappearing. Here is a taste of Scott Jaschik's article in Inside Higher Ed:

The report by the American Academy of Religion and the Society of
Biblical Literature examines job trends from 2001-2010 and finds modest
but steady growth up until 2008, with the number of job listings
dropping by 46 percent in 2009. The figures are based on the number of
positions listed with the two associations. The report acknowledged that
not all jobs are listed with the groups, but many disciplinary
associations do similar studies based on the listings they receive and
the ups and downs of the market are generally well-reflected in these
data.

In 2010, the number of jobs bounced back by 24 percent, but the field
ended the decade with fewer jobs being listed than was the case at the
start of the period.

Of particular concern to the associations was a shift in the type of
jobs advertised. Historically, the vast majority of jobs listed with the
two associations have been tenure-track positions, as was the case with
82 percent of jobs listed in 2008. But in 2009, that figured dropped to
51 percent, and it rose to only 61 percent in 2010 -- so not only are
there fewer jobs, but positions promising the possibility of job
security are in even shorter supply. The report says that a key issue
going forward will be to see whether this shift away from a tenure-track
norm is "temporary" or a "reconfiguration" of the academic job market.

I am often asked whether an undergraduate interested in American religious history should pursue a graduate degree in American history or religion. First, I would advise any undergraduate to pursue graduate school in any humanities-based field with caution. The market is very bad and there is a good chance that it will never get better.

Second, I would advise students to do a degree in history and write their dissertation in American religious history. You have a better chance of getting one of the few jobs available.

Third, if an undergraduate cannot fathom studying the non-religious dimensions of American history in graduate school, they should probably pursue a Ph.D in religion, but should be fully aware of the things noted in this article.

Can you imagine yourself doing something else with your life other than being an academic? If you answer no, you should go to graduate school and live with the consequences.